CHAPTER ONE

 
Three Years Later
 
The sweltering summer air of Brisbane
greeted me in a fierce welcome. I was already drenched in sweat as
soon as I stepped onto the tarmac.
“Welcome to Brisbane,” I muttered to myself,
checking my cell phone for the current time. “Three hours
behind.”
Amelia must be at Dunstan’s funeral by now.
Poor girl. Dunstan was like a father to her, but now he’d died, all
because of her sister’s cruel act.
What a way to treat a man who’d saved you
from living on the streets. Corinne should have never brought that
guy she’d met online to her house and hurt Dunstan’s heart like
that. Then again, Dunstan was also wrong to be involved with
Corinne. He was an old man, even older than Papa. I wondered if he
had some problem with his family to actually have an affair with a
woman who was as young as his daughter.
I’d never warmed up to Corinne. I didn’t
actually know what Amelia saw in her sister to care and protect her
like this. Then again, I didn’t have any siblings, so it was quite
hard to factor in that part of my personality.
I really should stop thinking about other
people and start thinking about myself. That soul mate of mine, the
man I saw three years ago, who I dubbed Mr. Baritone-voice because
of his ability to conjure up sexual images in my head just with his
voice, was nowhere to be found.
Damn me. Countless hot dreams of us lying
naked on a large bed, his hot mouth sucking the rose bud of my
breast, still made me hot and bothered. Just remembering his
six-pack abs sliding across my body and his cock thrusting into me
made my skin glisten wet with a longing that could only be quenched
with a cold shower.
I firmly shook my head to calm my raging
heartbeat and the throbbing of my clit, reminding myself it
wouldn’t be long now before I could hit that cold shower. Feeling
better, I went to collect my baggage.
One bag.
I traveled light. This was a business trip
after all. Papa wanted me to meet his business partner Mr. Devereux
from Devereux Enterprises. They owned a majority of the properties
here in Brisbane, just like Papa. They both had similar ideas,
wanting to join forces to create even bigger and better properties.
And their project was a massive mall covering an area the size of
three football fields right in Surfers Paradise of the Gold Coast.
And it was my job to see to their proposal before accepting the
terms of the merger contract.
After graduating from university just a few
weeks back, I thought I could have the chance to travel around the
world for a bit, right before I settled down to work for Papa, but
he was a very persistent man.

“Why don’t you go to visit Beau, my business
partner? You remember him, right, Kimmy-berry? He used to come to
New Zealand when you were a little girl,” he said while we were
having dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant in Dunedin. “That
way you could go sightseeing around Australia, all while getting
some work done.”
“But, Papa. The world isn’t Australia. The
world is China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam—not Australia.
And besides, I don’t remember Mr. Devereux. Why don’t you go
instead? It would be kind of a reunion for the both of you.”
Papa simply ignored my question. “Well, you
can start with Australia first.”
“Seriously, Papa?” I rolled my eyes. “I only
graduated like yesterday. The ink on my degree hasn’t even dried
yet, and you want me to work?”
“Kimmy-berry. This is very important to
Papa. If you’re happy with how they run things, then we’ll go ahead
with the new venture.”
“Why does it have to be me? Haven’t you
already discussed this with Mr. Devereux? I don’t need to be
involved in this project.”
“Yes, you do, Kimmy-berry. You’re my only
daughter, and in the future, this whole empire will be yours.”
“But that’s like light-years away.”
“You have to be prepared now.”

And that was how it ended, me being prepared
for whatever was about to happen.
Being the good girl I was, I could never
refuse Papa’s request. How could I? He was my dad and the only
living relative in my family. Mum passed away due to breast cancer
shortly after I was born. And now two weeks after that discussion,
I was here. In Brisbane. Ready to meet Devereux.
But where is he?
I sank onto the couch in the private lounge,
folding my legs and casually playing with my tablet like I hadn’t a
care in the world. But it was all an act. I was beyond exhausted
and irritable to boot. I was so tired from the trip, feeling my
muscles in my arms tensing. My temperament wasn’t too pleasant
either. During the flight, the turbulence was really bad, rocking
my body like a baby rattle.
I looked at the time again. Papa said
someone was to pick me up at the private lounge at 5:30 p.m. It was
already nearing 6:00 p.m. I was hungry. I needed dinner, a bath,
and a facial, like right now.
Just before I attempted to find myself a
taxi, a middle-aged man walked into the lounge with my name written
on a nameplate.
Finally!
I shook my head and stood.
“Miss Kimberly Henderson?” he asked, unsure.
In my messy state, even I wasn’t surprised no one recognized the
daughter of multi-millionaire Geoffrey Henderson.
“Yes. I’m Kimberly Henderson.” I tried to
smile, but really, this wretched weather was getting to me. And I
smelled like a skunk.
“I’m so sorry, Miss Henderson. The traffic
is really bad. It took me more than an hour to get here.”
“I understand. Auckland is pretty much the
same.” I nodded and picked up my one bag but was stopped by the
chauffeur.
“No, Miss Henderson, I’ll carry that for
you.”
“Please call me Kimberly.” I smiled. “And
your name?”
“John, Miss Kimberly. Mr. Devereux sends his
sincerest apologies. He’s been detained at another meeting and
won’t get to see you until tomorrow morning. He’s sending one of
his sons to greet you at the hotel and take you out to dinner.”
“No. There’s no need. I’m really tired. I’d
like some time to myself. Please tell Mr. Devereux I thank him for
the suggestion, but I have to decline.”
“Okay then, Miss Kimberly. I’ll pass on the
message.”
I nodded, pleased now to have some privacy
before I had to meet all these people as Papa requested.
We made our way outside into the boiling
sun, once again sweat pouring by the bucket from my body. Oh how I
craved a cold shower.
We arrived at the Brisbane Silverton Hotel,
one of the many hotels that were popping up like daisies around
Australia and New Zealand. Hunter and Anton Silverton, both heirs
of Silverton Corporation, had decided to expand their services.
And excellent service they provided. If
possible, I always planned to stay at the Silverton Hotel wherever
I went.
“The meeting is scheduled at ten tomorrow
morning, Miss Kimberly,” John reminded me.
“Thank you, John. I won’t forget.”

After showering and receiving a facial
treatment, I couldn’t suppress my hunger anymore. I needed to eat.
It was way past dinnertime already.
Although it was going to be a meal for one,
I was still dressed to impress, as usual. A strappy summer dress,
my freshly washed and dried chestnut hair cascading all the way
down my back, and summer heeled sandals. I was quite pleased with
my accomplishment since it was a job performed in haste.
“Table for one, please.” I smiled as a
waitress approached me. She led me to a table near the window. The
restaurant was on the fifteenth floor, so the view outside was
quiet breathtaking.
I gazed around the restaurant. Surprisingly,
it wasn’t as full as I’d anticipated. Looking at the menu gave
every indication as to how expensive and well established this
place was.
The waitress came back, and I ordered my
favorite spaghetti bolognese dish, accompanied with a glass of
pinot noir. Just when the meal was put in front of me and I was
about to indulge, I sensed someone staring at me. I looked up and a
man with blond hair and a bent nose smiled back at me.
“May I sit?”
I was about to say, No, I want to be
alone, when he took my silence as an invitation. Maybe I should
have taken my tablet with me as a distraction, making me less
approachable. I really didn’t want any company tonight.
“Here on holiday?” he asked in his
Australian twang.
“On a business trip,” I replied coldly.
“How crazy. You have a kiwi accent. Are you
from New Zealand?”
“Yes, I am.” Again, I gave him the cold
vibe, but he clearly wasn’t registering the warning.
“So you’ve been to Larnach Castle,
then.”
Of course I’ve been to Larnach
Castle, I wanted to yell at him. Larnach Castle was the only
standing castle in the whole of New Zealand.
“How about Queenstown? Have you bungee
jumped? The last time I went there with my ex-girlfriend, she
screamed all the way down. It was hilarious.”
“I don’t find that funny at all.” I put down
my fork, my innate sense of justice kicking in. “How can you laugh
at someone who’s scared? What if I dump you in a pool full of
crocodiles? See if you’re scared and piss your pants?”
The man held a blank look, unsure of what to
make of my comment. Then he burst out laughing, a full belly laugh
that showed off his chubby tummy.
By this stage, I was already fed up with
him, and a conversation from three years ago flitted back through
my mind. “A beautiful and delicate girl like you should always
have someone to protect her.”
Mr. Baritone-voice. I wondered where he went
to after that night.
“I’ve already organized everything. All you
have to do is put forward the presentation.”
I froze. My heart increased in beat. Every
fiber within my body sizzled alive.
That voice coming from behind me, it sounded
so deep, such a rich baritone, reminding me of Mr.
Baritone-voice.
He was talking on the phone, I suspected. I
couldn’t quite hear properly since Mr. Potbelly yapped nonstop.
“Hush!”
That got Mr. Belly-roll to shut up for a
minute while I listened that baritone voice continue to speak.
“Father has set the meeting. It will be held
at ten in the morning. Can you wake up in time?”
Why was that voice tormenting me? I must
have been deeply affected, for I could never forget that voice.
“Okay. That’s all. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Take care.”
Take care. That was Mr.
Baritone-voice.
I swirled around in my seat, quick enough to
only catch a glimpse of inky black hair just as the man took off. I
hurried out of my chair, ignoring Mr. Jelly Belly, who moaned like
a child when I made a dash to follow Mr. Baritone-voice.
I need to see his face to confirm my
suspicion. Please tell me this isn’t my imagination. I swore
if it were him, I’d make sure to get his name and phone number this
time.
I caught sight of the man with black hair
again as he walked into the main hallway. But there were so many
people going in every direction that I couldn’t get close to him.
Suddenly, he was swallowed up by the crowd. I gritted my teeth and
weaved through. But he was already gone. When I thought I’d lost
him again, he reappeared before my eyes, stepping onto the
elevator.
“Hey!” I rushed up to the lift, waving my
hand about, hoping he would see me.
But he didn’t. And that damn elevator closed
its doors right in my face.
After standing there staring at the
stainless steel for what seemed like ages, I blinked and laughed at
myself.
Oh God, I must be crazy. After three
years, I was still affected by that scorching touch on my ankle,
those stormy eyes, those kissable lips, and that rich voice. I was
acting like a stalker searching for my prey.